Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14381941 - EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICAL FOG WHILE FIGHTING FIRE

Accident Summary Nr: 14381941 -- Report ID: 0521400 -- Event Date: 12/13/1984
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1950096	12/13/1984	2821	0	Chemical Products Division Cargill Inc

Abstract: At a paint resin manufacturing plant, two 12-foot by 24-foot, ground-level, vertical, cylindrical tanks of phthalic anhydride were heated to an unknown temperature. The temperature was well above the compound's melting point of 260 degrees Fahrenheit and its flash point of 304 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the high temperature, the compound exploded and burst into flame when the frangible tank top blew off. Four production and maintenance workers and one supervisor were hospitalized after they used a large fire hose and water cannon to extinguish the fire. All five were hospitalized for 1 to 3 days for respiratory problems resulting from the inhalation of burning phthalic anhydride and diethylene glycol (the heating agent). None of the employees had either the personal protection or the training for such an event.

Keywords: RESPIRATORY, PPE, FIRE, DIETHYLENE GLYCOL, INHALATION, PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE, CHEMICAL VAPOR, TOXIC FUMES, UNTRAINED, CHEMICAL

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1950096	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
2	1950096	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
3	1950096	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
4	1950096	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
5	1950096	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported

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